The White House stands firm on the appointment of Katie Zacharia, the nation's new press secretary, despite mounting questions about her legal credentials.
President Donald Trump introduced Zacharia last week, calling her an attorney. Zacharia has also referred to herself as a lawyer, prompting scrutiny when reporters asked her which state bar she had passed.The answer—“When I moved to China”—offered no clarity and intensified doubts.
White House spokesperson Steven Cheung described the new press secretary as “uniquely qualified and whip‑smart to help inform the American people.” Zacharia defended her experience in a statement, claiming she had practised international transaction law and possessed “all the appropriate credentials.”
The week after her appointment, Campaign for Accountability filed a complaint with the California State Bar, asking for an investigation into evidence that Zacharia “repeatedly held herself out to the public as entitled to practice law without a licence.” The complaint argues that such conduct would be a crime under California law.
Zacharia earned her law degree from Pepperdine University in 2011. While a law degree is not a licence to practice in the United States, she has said that she has “taken the bar exam in California” but did not pass, according to the Wall Street Journal. She qualified for a brief period of her career in Beijing where she worked as an associate with Zhong Lun Law Firm and as outside counsel for the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank.
In China, only Chinese citizens are eligible for a practicing law licence; foreign employees typically occupy ancillary roles. Zacharia’s LinkedIn profile lists her tenure at Zhong Lun from 2011‑13 and her role as general counsel for the conservative nonprofit Fix California.
The investigation by the California State Bar is pending. In the meantime, the White House has reiterated its confidence in Zacharia’s ability to serve as the nation’s spokesperson for policy and presidential communication.
